Is Harbor Freight's Electric Lawn Mower Worth Buying?

Harbor Freight Tools is a brand that's developed a large following by selling quality products at a substantially lower cost than its competition. By buying direct from the manufacturers and selling only through its own network of stores, Harbour Freight is able to save on costs and passes the savings along to its customers. Offering a large selection of tools and equipment including automotive tools, outdoor tools, and power equipment, there are many products in its catalog that cater to professionals, DIY enthusiasts, and homeowners who want a convenient set of tools to use around the house. For its home equipment, Harbor Freight sells an interesting lawnmower called the Atlas self-propelled mower that's electric and cordless.

The Atlas 80V Brushless 21-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower has several key features that homeowners who regularly mow lawns may find appealing.  Starting with its automatic load-sensing technology, the Atlas is capable of adjusting the motor's performance depending on the length and thickness of the grass, including whether it's dry or wet. Alongside this, the Atlas also comes with variable-speed rear-wheel drive with cruise control, allowing for steady and regulated mowing through the lawn area.

To effectively cut even the densest grass, the Atlas lawn mower is equipped with a 21-inch blade mated to a brushless motor that not only provides more power but is also more durable and requires less maintenance. To power the Atlas, it uses a dual-battery setup that can be run on one or both batteries at the same time for longer operating use. As its name suggests, the Atlas uses Harbor Freight 80-volt batteries, which can be hot-swapped to extend lawn mower run time.

The advantages of the Atlas 80V Brushless 21-inch Self-Propelled Lawn Mower begin with its convenience and ease of use. It's designed with an electronic start with a push button, meaning the mower doesn't require you to use a pull cord. In addition, the Atlas features several height adjustments, starting with its handle (which has three height settings and can be easily folded for storage) alongside a single lever height adjustment with seven settings. That's not to mention moving the lawn mower from the shed to the lawn and back is easy due to the 10-inch flat-free wheels it comes with.

Built mainly from metal, including its enclosure and 21-inch steel deck, the Atlas lawn mower is durable but still fairly light. It only weighs 64.8 pounds, which is lighter than some gasoline-powered models on the market. Other performance advantages of the Atlas mower include its self-propelled capability, requiring less effort for a user to move and maneuver the mower around the lawn. In addition, the Atlas comes with 3-in-1 cutting options, which include rear bagging, mulching, and side discharge, all of which make collecting and disposing of the cuttings simple and easy.

Because it's battery-powered, there are no fuel emissions, making it more environmentally friendly. With no gasoline engine, it's also not as noisy as gas-powered mowers; making less noise pollution, which can disturb or annoy neighbors. For its long-term cost, it's cheaper to run and maintain the Atlas, as there's no need for gasoline to run it or oil to lubricate it.

In terms of pricing, the initial purchase cost of the Atlas lawn mower is substantial. Listed on the Harbor Freight website as $269.99 without batteries, a buyer might be surprised the charger is sold separately and comes in two options, the standard charging time sells for $49.99 while the rapid charge version is $79.99. Batteries for the Atlas mower are also not included. A single battery pack costs another $139.99 for the standard version and $249.99 for the extreme performance version. Compared to other lawn mowers with the same specs and features (including the batteries and charger) and even to gasoline-powered units, the Atlas comes out as more expensive.

Another important drawback to the Atlas lawn mower is its limited operating time. Because it's battery-powered, the charge may not be enough for mowing large areas, as some users have reported. If you have a big lawn, you would need to either recharge mid-mow or purchase additional batteries. Tegular use of the lawn mower will eventually degrade its charge capacity as well. On average, a battery lasts three to five years, after which you'll need to replace it.

Given its limitations, it's best to manage your expectations. The Atlas is best for reasonably sized yards. For anyone who prefers using battery-powered equipment, the features and advantages of Harbor Freight's Atlas lawnmower could offset its cost. That being said, when choosing between a gasoline-powered or battery-powered lawn mower, consideration should be given to its intended usage, purchase price, and long-term costs to find the one that best fits your needs.